Cavaliers are keeping their chins up

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Bryon Scott calls a play during a game against the Utah Jazz during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Salt Lake City, Friday, Jan. 14, 2011. The Jazz beat the Cavaliers 121-99. (AP photo/George Frey)

Yes, they've lost 23 of their last 24 games to tear the life out of their once-competitive season.

But when you love getting up each morning and doing something you've always dreamt of doing, it's easy to have a positive frame of mind.

Oh, and it doesn't hurt that you're making $13.4 million a season.

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Such is the case for Cavs forward Antawn Jamison.

"I enjoy my life," he said. "If these are the only problems I have to deal with in life, I'll take it.

"A lot of people are less fortunate than I am. This is my job, my passion, my love. I enjoy what I do, even though it's tough right now. I still enjoy being sore. I still enjoy competing. I don't enjoy the losses."

Since coming to the Cavs (8-32) at the trade deadline last February, things have gone belly-up for the 13-year veteran. The Cavs were eliminated from the playoffs prematurely last spring. He went through some tough obstacles in his personal life, and then watched LeBron James leave in free agency. Now, the Cavs' season has turned ugly.

"I don't have any regrets," he said. "I don't think what else can go wrong today. I try to be positive."

Cavs coach Byron Scott is also trying to stay upbeat. For a team that's lost 13 in a row, it's baby steps.

"I was happy to see more than eight players out there today (in practice)," Scott said. "That was a good sign."

The team has been decimated by injuries. They had more players out of the lineup midway through the first quarter of the Denver game on Saturday (eight) than were available to play (seven).

It doesn't look as if guards Mo Williams (hip flexor strain) or Christian Eyenga (sprained right ankle) will be available for the Phoenix game on Wednesday. They'll probably be listed as questionable.

Also, swingman Anthony Parker (lower back strain) is likely out another week.

The Cavs will likely welcome back Daniel Gibson (left ankle sprain) against the Suns.

"Unless something crazy happens in the next couple days, I think he's good to go," Scott said. "He tweaked it a little bit today in practice."

Gibson took part in practice on Monday at Cleveland Clinic Courts. He'll probably be listed as probable for the Suns.

"I'm still a little tender here or there," he said.

When he joined the Cavs on their 0-5 West Coast trip, some thought Gibson would try to play in one of the last two games.

"I didn't have a setback," Gibson said. "I tried to rush it and get out there too soon. There were certain things I couldn't do. It wasn't smart to play out there."

That's not the case now.

"I'm definitely expecting to play Wednesday," Gibson said. "It's still a work in progress. As it stands right now, I'll be out there."

Scott said he doesn't need the help of a therapist to help him cope with the losing.

"My therapist is my wife (Anita)," he said. "Yeah, it gets me down. I don't like losing. I've been in positions where I've had to deal with losing, but I'm a winner, period. That's what I'm used to.

"It's tough to keep your spirits up after some of the losses that we've had. When I wake up the next day, I always look at it as another opportunity to get better. That's what keeps me going. I know we have a bunch of young guys here who are willing to work. This is a golden opportunity for them as players."

Quick shots

n Center Anderson Varejao, who tore a tendon in his right foot on Jan. 6, is expected to have season-ending surgery this week.

n The Cavs were short-handed in practice, so 49-year-old Scott joined in the festivities. "I made a few shots on them," he said. "Like I normally do, I talked a lot on the court. They heard me a lot when I made shots. It was fun. I'll probably be sore tomorrow."